How to really use brakes
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How to really use brakes
With regards to GA aircraft, what is considered best practice on the use of brakes?
Points I've obtained from various sources, like CPs, CFIs, POHs etc:
- Don't ride the brakes (obviously). Set a lower power setting to minimise brake usage whilst taxiing.
- Heavy brake application for short periods (like landing roll) is beneficial to the system, as it prevents 'glazing' of the pads
- GA Aircraft pads naturally contact the disc at all times and this is normal
- Park brake should be left off (level surface) during parking to eliminate unnecessary wear/pressure on system during periods of disuse.
Discuss, share your knowledge, ask questions...
Points I've obtained from various sources, like CPs, CFIs, POHs etc:
- Don't ride the brakes (obviously). Set a lower power setting to minimise brake usage whilst taxiing.
- Heavy brake application for short periods (like landing roll) is beneficial to the system, as it prevents 'glazing' of the pads
- GA Aircraft pads naturally contact the disc at all times and this is normal
- Park brake should be left off (level surface) during parking to eliminate unnecessary wear/pressure on system during periods of disuse.
Discuss, share your knowledge, ask questions...
Agree with point 1, not too sure about Point 2 and 3 though. Point 4 I disagree with a little, I'm really not sure that leaving the Park Brake on would cause that much wear, but I prefer not to leave it on and use chocks instead because of temperature differences, if you're setting it on a scorching hot day in the outback and it gets bloody cold in the evening the fluid condenses and you may no longer have sufficient pressure to keep the aircraft stationary.
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1. I agree completely – common sense.
2. Agree to some extent – but aerodynamic braking followed by light wheel brake application will probably work out better wear-wise in the longer term
3. If the pads and discs are in constant contact, then presumably this 'glazing' will occur regardless of brake use?
4. Park brake is there for a reason. At my operator, brakes and chocks.
2. Agree to some extent – but aerodynamic braking followed by light wheel brake application will probably work out better wear-wise in the longer term
3. If the pads and discs are in constant contact, then presumably this 'glazing' will occur regardless of brake use?
4. Park brake is there for a reason. At my operator, brakes and chocks.
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Most of the Cessna handbrakes are bloody useless anyway. Chocks all the way.
Have you tried writing that up in the maintenance release so an LAME can fix the "useless" park brake?
Have you tried writing that up in the maintenance release so an LAME can fix the "useless" park brake?
Sprucegoose
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How to use brakes:
1. Use them when you need them.
2. Don't use them so often that they are not there when you NEED them.
3. Comply with the manufacturers recommendations!
1. Use them when you need them.
2. Don't use them so often that they are not there when you NEED them.
3. Comply with the manufacturers recommendations!
Two answers here both potentially diff.
You own the plane, brakes used very judicially.
Rented/hired or someone else owns it as you see fit to stop the plane doing what you don't want it to.
Brakes are a normal wear & tear item on any moving machine.
You might have babied them over the last few hundred hrs & when it came to that 100 hrly they didn't need replacing but you would never know even if you didn't baby them during the same period, nothing to compare with too many variables here.
Wmk2
You own the plane, brakes used very judicially.
Rented/hired or someone else owns it as you see fit to stop the plane doing what you don't want it to.
Brakes are a normal wear & tear item on any moving machine.
You might have babied them over the last few hundred hrs & when it came to that 100 hrly they didn't need replacing but you would never know even if you didn't baby them during the same period, nothing to compare with too many variables here.
Wmk2
The park brake is to stop the plane rolling in a strong wind or downhill while you are in attendance. Not in attendance? Use chocks.
Leaving a park brake for any length of time pressurises the brake system, is hard on seals and is unreliable. I find it hard to believe any experienced pilot could advocate it.
Leaving a park brake for any length of time pressurises the brake system, is hard on seals and is unreliable. I find it hard to believe any experienced pilot could advocate it.
Judicial use of brakes!!!!!!!!!!
I ride my brakes which is SOP for the type. it is cheaper than replacing a pair of GTSIO gear boxes after they chatter and eventually break a gear tooth.
Every aircraft has a different SOP
I ride my brakes which is SOP for the type. it is cheaper than replacing a pair of GTSIO gear boxes after they chatter and eventually break a gear tooth.
Every aircraft has a different SOP
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Brakes
-Don't ride the brakes (obviously). Set a lower power setting to minimise brake usage whilst taxiing.
- Don't touch the brakes unless you have to. Do you know how much brake pads cost matey!
The other technique that is worth considering, and is perhaps more effective in larger aircraft is that if you are going to use brakes on landing, then it is better (more effective) to use more brake early in the landing roll backing off as you slow down, than to use not much to start with, only perhaps to find you need to apply heavy braking at the end of the roll.
And when you park, always use chocks. No park brake when refuelling either.
Last edited by triadic; 22nd Dec 2013 at 03:57.
